In the digital economy era and fierce market competition of 2026, a brand is not merely an identification mark but a strategic intangible asset that determines a business’s position. Establishing intellectual property (IP) rights through exclusive registration is a mandatory step to protect creative achievements and the owner’s dedication. However, cost remains one of the barriers causing many units to hesitate.
The following article is synthesized and compiled by the team of lawyers and consultants at Tran and Tran. With over 13 years of practical experience (since 2013), we are committed to providing the most comprehensive and accurate overview of exclusive trademark registration cost items according to the latest legal regulations.
1. The Nature of Exclusive Trademark Registration Costs
Trademark registration is a legal roadmap lasting from 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of the application. The cost for this process is not a simple expense but a long-term investment to increase corporate value through exclusive brand registration.
Basically, the total budget a business needs to prepare is divided into two separate parts:
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1.1. Official Fees (State Fees): These are mandatory fees payable to the state budget through the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN). These rates are uniformly regulated in Circulars from the Ministry of Finance. This fee is calculated based on the number of groups of products/services and the number of items within each group that the business wishes to protect.
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1.2. Service Fees: This is the fee paid to industrial property representative organizations such as Tran and Tran Company. This fee covers professional tasks such as: in-depth searches, drafting legally standard dossiers, monitoring application progress, responding to notices from the IPVN, and representing the applicant to resolve arising issues.
2. Detailed 2026 State Fee Schedule
Based on current regulations and 2026 update forecasts, the state fee structure for a basic trademark application (including 01 group of products/services with a maximum of 06 items) typically includes the following:
Summary Table of Application Fees at the Intellectual Property Office
| No. | Fee Item | Expected Fee (VNĐ) |
| 1 | Registration application fee | 150,000 |
| 2 | Application publication fee | 120,000 |
| 3 | Search fee for substantive examination | 180,000 |
| 4 | Trademark substantive examination fee | 550,000 |
| 5 | Grant of protection certificate fee (payable after approval) | 120,000 |
| 6 | Registration and grant decision publication fee | 240,000 |
Important Note: Within a group, if a business registers a 7th product onwards, the IPVN will collect additional examination and search fees for each extra item. Similarly, if a business registers from a 2nd group onwards, the total fee will increase accordingly.
3. Factors Directly Affecting Total Cost
There is no absolute fixed figure for every brand. The total investment depends entirely on the business strategy and the scope of protection chosen by the enterprise.
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3.1. Number of Groups per Nice Classification: The International Nice Classification divides goods and services into 45 groups (groups 01 – 34 are goods; groups 35 – 45 are services). Each group represents a different business field.
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Example: A milk tea brand may need protection for Group 43 (Food and drink catering services) and potentially Group 32 (Non-alcoholic beverages). Registering these 02 groups will result in higher costs than registering just 01 group.
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3.2. Number of Products/Services in Each Group: Law stipulates a basic fee for the first 06 items in a group. When a business’s product list is extensive and detailed, the substantive examination fee increases per additional unit.
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3.3. Geographical Scope of Protection: The costs mentioned above apply to registration within Vietnam. If a business wishes to expand into international markets such as Laos, Cambodia, or Myanmar, the cost will include local state fees and service fees for experts familiar with Southeast Asian laws.
4. Trademark Search Fees: A Smart Investment to Avoid Risks
Many businesses intend to file immediately to save on search fees. However, from an expert perspective, Tran and Tran evaluates this as a misconception that can lead to significant budget waste.
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4.1. Why pay for a search?: Current examination times average 18 – 24 months. If a business files without a search, they may receive a refusal notice after 2 years due to a pre-existing similar trademark. In that case, the business loses not only all fees paid but also the business opportunities and marketing costs invested in that brand over 2 years.
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4.2. Search Services at Tran and Tran: We provide preliminary searches (free or low cost) and in-depth searches cross-referenced with global data systems. This fee helps businesses:
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Know the exact success probability of the application before filing.
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Receive advice on modifying designs or names to avoid confusing similarity.
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Save millions of VNĐ in futile application fees.
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5. Potential Arising Costs During the 2-Year Roadmap
During the examination process, a trademark application may encounter legal situations requiring additional processing costs:
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Fee for responding to amendment/supplement notices: Occurs when the dossier has formal errors or the goods list is not accurate according to IPVN regulations.
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Fee for contesting a preliminary refusal notice: If an examiner deems your trademark similar to another, the applicant needs to pay service fees for a lawyer to perform legal counter-arguments to protect registration rights.
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Fee for handling application oppositions: If a third party files an opposition against your brand’s grant, the business needs a budget to pursue this dispute case.
6. The Mission of Tran and Tran in Protecting Intellectual Assets
With highly qualified staff and extensive experience, we believe Tran and Tran Company is among the leading IP firms in Vietnam. Established in September 2013, we understand the hardships of the early days when we reached out to clients to introduce the importance of IP.
Tran and Tran brings professionalism to registration and enforcement services not only in Vietnam but also in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. With deep knowledge of IP law and years of practical experience, we ensure that clients’ intellectual assets are fully protected in Southeast Asia. We provide services in all sectors, from biotechnology and pharmaceuticals to telecommunications, electronics, and mechanical engineering.
7. Cost Optimization Strategies for Businesses
To achieve the highest efficiency with a reasonable budget, businesses should consider these strategies:
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Register as early as possible: Vietnam applies the “First to File” principle. Delays can result in costly ownership lawsuits.
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Proper Grouping: Do not register broadly in areas the business does not intend to operate. Focus on core areas and adjacent sectors at highest risk of infringement.
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Choose a reputable Industrial Property Representative: A dossier professionally drafted by Tran and Tran will minimize amendment notices, thereby cutting down on unnecessary arising costs.
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Use In-depth Search Results: This is the safest stepping stone to ensure every application fee spent has the potential to yield an actual Protection Certificate.
8. Conclusion
Exclusive trademark registration costs in 2026 are not just numbers on a fee receipt; they represent the value of peace of mind and solid legal rights for the future of the business. A fully protected brand serves as a launchpad for Vietnamese products to reach the world, while acting as a shield against infringement.
The entire Tran and Tran family looks forward to cooperating based on a spirit of mutual development. Let our enthusiasm and over 13 years of experience accompany and protect your intellectual assets most completely.
Contact Information and Consultation
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Email: ip@trantran.vn
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Address: P802, Talico building, 22 Ho Giam St, Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da, Hanoi
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Hotline: 024 3732 7466
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Working Hours: 8:00 AM – 18:00 PM
